Earlier today, it was announced that the Red Sox traded outfielder Coco Crisp (please, no breakfast cereals jokes) to the Royals for middle reliever Ramon Ramirez. Crisp started the year off as the Sox’s starting center fielder, but ended it as a platoon with center fielder of the future, Jacoby Ellsbury. The Red Sox had made it known publicly that they wanted more bullpen help, and with the addition of Ramirez (who is likely going to be the Sox’s primary setup man behind Jonathan Papelbon), which enables them to move righty Justin Masterson into to the rotation, where he is more comfortable.

This deal likely lessens free agent pitchers A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe’s bargaining power. The Red Sox figured to be a major player in the “bidding war” for either (or both) of these quality starters. With the bullpen likely settled, and Masterson in the rotation, the 2007 World Champions are likely set with pitching. This means, now, that the Phillies could swing in and pick one up (however unlikely that is).

On a lesser scale, the Royals were considered far-fetched suitors for Pat Burrell. I say far-fetched because they most definitely do not have the money it would take to afford the former #1 pick. However, this does not put them out of the running completely. If they trade away David DeJesus and/or Mark Teahen (as expected), and if they somehow garnered some cash, a deal could be made for the slugger.

In short, this deal means that Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett, and Pat Burrell all have lost at least some bargaining power, which makes them all the more sweeter for the reigning world champions of baseball.